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N soil test to save dollars

Editor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSUCrop Advisory Team Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is included.

Soil
and climatic conditions have varied greatly so far this growing season.
Rainfall and soil temperatures have been variable. Over the last few
days with high temperatures and plenty of moisture, crops have grown
tremendously. Soil microorganisms have also become much more active in
converting organic nitrogen into plant available ammonium and nitrate N.
Where cover crops, compost or even crop residues have been incorporated
into the soil, considerable nitrogen may become available. Nitrogen
provided by one of these sources or even soil organic matter is nitrogen
that does not need to be provided by purchased nitrogen.

Soil sampling is the only way to know for sure how much plant
available nitrogen is becoming available in the soil. Collect 15 to 20
soil cores to a depth of 12 inches from the area of interest not to
exceed 20 acres. Dry the sample as quickly as possible before sending
the sample to the soil test lab. Also, keep the samples cool as
possible. If the soil will be delivered directly to the soil test lab,
then drying is not necessary. At a value of 40 to 50 cents or more for
each pound of nitrogen, finding out that the soil already contains 30,
40, 50 or more pounds per acre can have a significant financial impact.

November 28, 2016 | Collin Thompson | Now completing its second year of the Apprentice Farmer Program, the Michigan State University North Farm provides opportunities for beginning farmers to realize their farm dreams.

B. Zandstra, and E. Grafius | The average yield of U.S. No. l pungent yellow onions in Michigan is 16.5 tons (660 50-lb bags) per acre. With irrigation and good cultural practices, it is possible to obtain marketable yields of 20 to 25 tons (800 to 1,000 50-lb bags) per acre.

Ben Werling, and Curtis Talley, Michigan State University Extension | The goal of Costs and Returns for Producing Michigan Asparagus was to create a budget accounting for the transformed Michigan asparagus industry, which now includes significant spear and fresh-market production.